







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| Don't you think two forks are enough for us? | |
| My laptop is in it. | |
| Mike, it is a continent! | |
| I really don't know, but I believe it's more than 100 years old. | |
| But I don't think I can use them all, there are too many! | |
| There is nothing much left to do, there are only bits and pieces. | |
| I would like to... But I have other things to do... | |
| Which appointment? Do you mean the house in Angel? | |
| Also, I think we all need to leave soon. | |
| Do you know how to use them? | |
| Of course, I researched it well, it's 525 metres. | |
| Okay, how much salt do you want me to add? | |
| I hate them buzzing around my ear all night long and waking me up. | |
| Hello madam, are you still on the line? | |
| You know, I usually have some early morning lessons. | |
| Yeah, do you mean tricycles? | |
| Mike! You can't use people's stuff without asking! | |
| And it's hard to believe, but it's clean. | |
| No, this one is the shop's own brand, that's why it's not expensive. | |
| Um.. it could be blue, I don't really remember. | |